Moisés Kaufman (#285) - September, 2010

Episode description

Director, artistic director and playwright Moisés Kaufman discusses his newest project, the U.S. premiere of the 1940s opera "El Gato con Botas (Puss in Boots)", a collaboration between his Tectonic Theater Project, Gotham Chamber Opera and London's Blind Summit Theatre puppet troupe, debuting at The New Victory Theater -- whether it's an opera meant for children and why it fits into the Tectonic aesthetic. He also talks about his youth and schooling in Caracas, Venezuela and how an annual festival bringing in work by such artists as Peter Brook and Pina Bausch turned him on to theatre; why he felt he needed to come to the U.S. to become a director; why he was done with his schooling at NYU's Experimental Theater Wing but never actually finished; how and why he came to create the Tectonic Theater Project so quickly after leaving school; the development of "Gross Indecency", "The Laramie Project" (and its epilogue), "I Am My Own Wife" and "33 Variations", including his evolution as a writer; why, as someone who has had such success creating his own works, he also enjoys directing existing texts as well; and the reason he listed "Pixar" as his religion on Facebook. Original air date - September 15, 2010.

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In advance of his "new Elvis" musical "All Shook Up", author Joe DiPietro talks about the process of incorporating pop songs into musical theatre, and reflects on the never-ending success of his show, "I Love You, …

he work of a theatre critic is explored with two of America's most-read theatre journalists: Michael Kuchwara> of the Associated Press and Charles Isherwood of Variety -- the latter just as it was announced he'd be …

Film comedy veteran Michael McKean talks about his return to his stage roots, and the challenge of filling Harvey Fierstein's shoes (and girdle), in "Hairspray", in an interview which preceded McKean's sudden run of New …

Late in the run of Disney's "Aida" and two years before "Tarzan" began swinging on 46th Street, Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions, discusses the Disney approach to theatrical production and …

John Selya and Ashley Tuttle, original cast members of the dance musical "Movin' Out", discuss the development of Twyla Tharp's unique show, the difference between classical dance and the requirements of this new …

During his run in the revival of "42nd Street", Patrick Cassidy talks about life in a performing family, including the legacy of his late father Jack and performing with his mother Shirley Jones; his eclectic resume on …

Tonya Pinkins takes listeners from the triumph of "Jelly's Last Jam" to the extraordinary personal challenges that faced her on her return to Broadway as the title character in Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's musical …

Bebe Neuwirth discusses creating the musical "Here Lies Jenny" with her "Chicago" co-star Ann Reinking and "Cheers" co-star Roger Rees, as well as her work on stage in "Sweet Charity" and "Damn Yankees". Original air …